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The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, bade farewell to representatives from Caribbean member states, who she describes as “a powerhouse within the Commonwealth”.
In an emotional speech to the 48th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which concludes today in Barbados, the Commonwealth Secretary-General paid tribute to their strength in unity and leadership. She also thanked them for their support and solidarity with the Commonwealth.
Praising their progress in climate resilience and economic and sustainable development, she said the Caribbean has solidified its position at the forefront of tackling global challenges.
The Secretary-General, who was born in Dominica, steps down from her role at the end of March. When she took office in 2016, she promised to advocate for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and put it at the heart of the Commonwealth’s mission.
Among the achievements she highlighted to Prime Ministers and other stakeholders was the expansion of the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH), which was conceived a decade ago by an Eminent Persons Group led by former President of Guyana, the Hon Bharrat Jagdeo, who now serves as Vice-President of the country.
CCFAH has helped Commonwealth member countries to unlock almost US$400 million. These funds are used to build resilience, invest in renewable energy, and protect natural ecosystems.
Reflecting on her nine-year tenure after her intervention at the meeting, the Secretary-General said championing the Caribbean’s priorities on the global stage had been the greatest privilege of her life.
She added:
“I am also immensely proud of the Commonwealth Meridian, which streamlines public debt management.
Commonwealth Meridian enhances transparency, accountability and supports informed decision-making for our member countries.
And through our reformed and digitised Meridian we have provided technical support to help Caribbean nations manage public debt sustainably.”
The Secretary-General is also encouraging member governments to take full advantage of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s programme designed to boost the efficiency of public services and improve performance management.
She noted:
“This is crucial to the welfare of all citizens but especially small and developing island states in a post-pandemic world.
We have developed a proprietary software called SMART (Strategic Management and Accountability Results Toolkit) as a tool for implementation of an effective Government Performance Management System.”
Several Caribbean countries have taken advantage of the critical support provided by the Commonwealth, including rapid response protocols during crises such as hurricanes, including in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General has strongly advocated for a Loss & Damage Fund to support vulnerable countries and has backed the Bridgetown Initiative, spearheaded by the Prime Minister of Barbados, the Hon Mia Mottley, and the use of the UN’s Multilateral Vulnerability Index to address debt sustainability and climate vulnerability.
The Commonwealth Secretariat has also empowered thousands of young people with digital skills and established the Commonwealth AI Consortium and the Commonwealth AI Academy.
The Secretariat is currently working on an expansion of its digital literacy programme with The University of the West Indies.
CARICOM, established 52 years ago, has partnered with the Commonwealth for over four decades.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) returns to the Caribbean, with the next CHOGM slated for Antigua and Barbuda in 2026.
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Such a powerful farewell address. She’s done a lot for the Caribbean and we’ll miss her leadership.
Her gratitude shows the strong relationship between CARICOM and the Commonwealth. A true leader!
I hope her successor continues the good work. Her contributions to the region won’t be forgotten.
It’s always bittersweet to see such impactful leaders leave. Wishing her all the best in her next chapter!
She’s truly left a lasting impact on the region!